Small Owls, Serious Science
Burrowing owls are small, long-legged and surprisingly expressive. Learn more about these fascinating animals at 3 p.m., Thursday, March 12, when the Palm Springs Public Library, in partnership with the Oswit Land Trust and the Mizell Center, host wildlife biologist Noelle Ronan, who will present “The Life and Times of Burrowing Owls: A Natural History and Conservation Review,” at the Mizell Center, at 480 S. Sunrise Way, in Palm Springs. Ronan, a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has studied burrowing owls since 1997. Her presentation explores the species’ unusual life history, from nesting and winter ecology to diet, habitat use and the surprisingly busy home ranges these ground-dwelling owls maintain. Expect field stories, practical science and a deeper look at one of the desert’s cutest residents. For more information, click here. —Charles Drabkin
A Fan of California’s Public Lands
Here’s another chance to learn more about the importance of nature. At 3 p.m., Saturday, March 14, enjoy a Tin Town Literary Conversation with photographer and writer Josh Jackson (pictured), and public lands advocate Alicia Pike. They will sit down for a chat regarding Jackson’s book The Enduring Wild: Public Lands and the Stories We Tell at Desert General, at 6427 Mesquite Ave., in Twentynine Palms. The Enduring Wild documents Jackson’s journey across some of California’s most beautiful landscapes, and the conversation will range from admiration of the state’s sights to the necessary steps needed to protect these sites. The event is free, and you can RSVP via Eventbrite. —Matt King
Desert ‘DINASTÍA’
One of the current reyes of Spanish music truly loves the Coachella Valley. At 8 p.m., Sunday, March 15, and Tuesday, March 17, corridos tumbados icon Peso Pluma heads to the desert, joined by Tito Double P and friends, for two evenings of Mexican rap at Acrisure Arena, at 75702 Varner Road, in Palm Desert. Pluma has featured the 760 heavily during the album cycle for his latest release, DINASTÍA, as the “ganga” music video used a Palm Springs warehouse as a set, and the video for “chiclona” showcases our famous windmills, mountains, desert landscape and cacti! Palm Desert is also one of the few cities to have more than one show date on Peso Pluma’s tour, further proving that the artist adores the dez! Tickets, as of this writing, for March 15 date start around $261.80, and $124.20 for the March 17 date. For tickets and more information, visit acrisurearena.com. —Matt King
Local Bands Do Good
Local bands are taking over the desert’s most iconic venue yet again! At 9 p.m., Sunday, March 15, enjoy a double dose of desert indie when Brosquitos and Ju!ian + the Band perform at Pappy and Harriet’s, at 53688 Pioneertown Road, in Pioneertown. This historic show celebrates the legacy of Brosquitos, one of the longest running local pop-rock acts, and cements the fresh faces of Ju!ian + the Band as one of the best desert indie groups. Tickets are $13.73. For tickets and more info, visit pappyandharriets.com.
A Wee Bit of Irish Luck
St. Patrick’s Day arrives with plenty of green and Irish-inspired flavor at Lucky Cantina inside Agua Caliente Cathedral City, at 68960 E. Palm Canyon Drive. On Tuesday, March 17, the celebration begins at noon with a festive spin on Lucky Taco Tuesday, joined by a lineup of Irish-themed offerings that lean into the holiday spirit—like Dublin skillet fries, Irish fish and chips, Guinness-braised short rib sliders, while the bar pours Irish coffee, Jameson whiskey sours, green-hued Gold Rush Blonde Ale (from La Quinta Brewing Co.), and more. The party picks up steam in the evening, when DJ Erineil takes over the dance floor from 5 to 9 p.m., with free Jameson whiskey tastings starting at 5:30 p.m. and Irish dancers at 6 p.m. The festivities are part of Lucky Cantina, a month-long St. Patrick’s Day-themed takeover of the Agave Caliente Tequila Bar space. Learn more at aguacalientecasinos.com/casino/lucky-cantina. —Charles Drabkin
Love and Betrayal in the McCarthy Era
At 7 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday, March 17 and 18, the Palm Springs Opera Guild presents scenes from Fellow Travelers, an opera by Gregory Spears with a libretto by Greg Pierce, at the Dezart Playhouse, at 605 S. Riverside Drive, in Palm Springs. Based on Thomas Mallon’s 2007 novel, the work unfolds during the 1950s Lavender Scare, when gay and lesbian federal employees were systematically purged from government service. At the center of the story are two young men working in Washington, D.C., who begin a secret relationship while the paranoia of McCarthyism grows around them. The shows feature selections from the opera performed live, followed by a panel discussion with the cast and creative team. You may be familiar with the 2023 television adaptation starring Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey. A limited number of tickets, starting at $91, were available as of this writing. For tickets or more information, visit palmspringsoperaguild.org. —Charles Drabkin
This Is My Art, and It’s Dangerous
Few actors can turn exasperation, panic and perfect comic timing into an art form quite like the late Catherine O’Hara. On Wednesday, March 18, the Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E Baristo Rd, Palm Springs continues its Catherine O’Hara: Simply the Best tribute series with a screening of Beetlejuice. Tickets are $13.54, and doors open at 6 p.m. with a curated pre-show, followed by highlights from Schitt’s Creek at 6:30 p.m., and the film at 7 p.m. Beetlejuice helped cement O’Hara’s legacy with her unforgettable turn as Delia Deetz, the aggressively avant-garde stepmother. Seen on the big screen, O’Hara’s fearless comedy feels even sharper. The last two films in the series include Martin Scorsese’s After Hours on April 1, and Waiting for Guffman on April 15. Click here for tickets and more information. —Charles Drabkin
Riffs, Rock, Revelry
Heavy riffs and punk-rock anthems collide for one special high desert evening. At 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 18, Los Angeles’ dirty, doomy desert-disco duo Paradise Vultures and Yucca Valley’s own Thee Punk Rock Fashion Show Band team up for a night of rockin’ tunes at Mojave Gold, at 56193 Twentynine Palms Highway, in Yucca Valley. Paradise Vultures are one of the most unique bands in the heavy-rock space, blending doom and gloom with hip-shaking rhythms and insatiable grooves. Thee Punk Rock Fashion Show Band, featuring local shakers Lisa Rae Black and Paul Forrester, will open the show with a list of gritty jams you know and love. Leather jackets are highly encouraged! The event is free, and you can RSVP online. For more information, visit mojavegolddesert.com. —Matt King
Prom Clothes, No Price Tag
Prom season can be expensive. The Desert Recreation District is working to ease that pressure with a Prom Dress Giveaway from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, March 21 and 22, at the Thousand Palms Community Center, at 31189 Robert Road. The free event invites Coachella Valley high school juniors and seniors to browse a wide selection of prom dresses in different sizes, colors and styles, along with accessories to complete the look. Students must be present and bring a valid school ID to participate. Appointments are required so organizers can give each student time to browse and try things on without the room feeling rushed; make an appointment by emailing avelasquez@drd.us.com or texting 760-701-1043. The event is presented by the Desert Recreation District in partnership with Desert Best Friend’s Closet. For more information, click here. —Charles Drabkin
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